Bids will be called for the construction contracts for the first three of 10 new railway lines in and around Bangkok by the end of this year, Transport Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat said on Monday.
He was responding to calls for a clear timeline for the implementation of the Pheu Thai Party’s policy for 10 new lines.
ACM Sukampol said the bidding process and the signing of construction contracts for the first three lines would be finished by year-end.
The train lines to be built first would be the Pink Line (Khae Rai-Min Buri), the Green Line (Mor Chit-Saphan Mai), and the Orange Line (Taling Chan-Min Buri), the minister said.
Before making final decisions on the the other seven lines, the government would have to compare its electric rail link expansion policy with the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand’s plans. This could could mean an adjustment to MRTA’s plans.
Asked about the associated policy of charging passengers a single rate of 20 baht per ride, ACM Sukampol said this would be implemented during this government’s tenure, but it was a long-term plan.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/252935/bidding-for-3-lines-by-year-end-govt
MRTA Lines http://www.mrta.co.th/eng/images/project/MRTA%20network%20Eng%20A4.jpg
